Goa nightclub fire: Luthra Brothers say they are getting threats on social media, may be lynched upon return to Goa
PTC Web Desk: The Luthra brothers, Saurabh and Gaurav, owners of the Goa nightclub where a devastating fire killed 25 persons, told a Delhi court that they fear for their lives amid rising public anger. Arguing for anticipatory bail, their counsel said the duo has been receiving death threats on social media and could face mob violence if they return to Goa.
Appearing for the brothers, advocate Tanveer Ahmed Mir alleged that the state machinery was acting vindictively after the tragedy at Birch by Romeo Lane in North Goa’s Arpora on December 6, which claimed the lives of four tourists and 21 staff members. “My clients are being targeted. Their properties are being demolished. They fear they may be lynched in Goa,” he told the court.
The brothers left for Thailand just hours after the incident and were later detained in Phuket after an Interpol Blue Corner Notice was issued. They insisted they were not fleeing the investigation and had travelled to Thailand to work on setting up a restaurant. “Our travel plans were communicated on December 6. We have documents to show that we were exploring a business venture in Phuket aimed at employing Indians,” the brothers claimed.
The FIR states the nightclub was functioning without mandatory permissions or licences. Several staff members and a co-owner have already been arrested as part of the widening probe. A beach shack linked to the Luthras has also been razed for alleged illegal construction.
Seeking four weeks’ protection from arrest, the Luthras said they suffer from medical issues, Gaurav from a neurological condition and Saurabh from epilepsy. The Goa Police dismissed these claims as “baseless”, arguing the brothers had not consulted any doctor recently. Countering this, their counsel said, “A person with epilepsy does not need to visit a doctor every day. They are being made a spectacle.”
The court has reserved its order on the anticipatory bail plea.
- With inputs from agencies
